Conifers are a diverse group of plants, ranging from tiny dwarf specimens to the tallest trees known. They date back to a time before flowering plants existed. They are mainly cone-bearing plants, the cones may appear to be like tiny berries or enormous cones that can be lethal if one lands on your head.

They are mostly evergreen and often have narrow needle-like leaves or leaf-scales. The foliage comes in a colour in tones of greens, blues and yellows. Some are variegated and some are a different colour in winter and summer.

Most conifers are very hardy with many being quite drought tolerant. The ground covering juniperus are often used in median strip planting on highways.